THE NEW CREATURE WITHIN

If there is one scripture my congregation hears me quote many times it is Romans 12: 1 – 2 which says, “I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
First of all, this scripture is written to brethren.  These are people who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  They are saved, forgiven and going to heaven.
However Paul is telling us that there is something else we must do.  Yes, they saved.  Their spirits are made right before God.  Their sins are forgiven: past, present and future.
But our flesh is not changed.  Therefore it is our responsibility, if we are to enjoy the benefits of being saved, right now, here on earth, we need to not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the Word of God.
Our spirit is perfect unto God but we need to make some changes in our understanding of who we have become as born again believers.
That word, transformed, speaks of the process of metamorphosis.  The process of being changed.  We need to grow into that new creation that we have become when we got born again.
The best example we know about metamorphosis is the caterpillar who transforms into a beautiful butterfly.  From something that crawls on the ground, susceptible to enemies, to something that takes wing and flies into the air.  
What is interesting is that the caterpillar has everything within itself to become the butterfly.  It only took a transformation while in its cocoon.  
As newly born again believers we need to obey Romans 12: 1 – 2.  Though our spirits are born again, our flesh, our thinking and our actions need to be changed.  That change can only come by the discipline of reading and studying the Word of God.  Like the caterpillar, all we have inside of us, our spirits joined with the Holy Spirit, will emerge in power and blessings as we begin to be transformed by the truths we learn about our new creation in the Word of God.
We will go from creatures of fear and susceptible to the enemy, to taking wing and becoming all that God says we are: more than conquerors, seated with Christ in heavenly places, given authority and power in the name of Jesus.